Simple Randomness

Funny Moments that Happen on Vacations

Vacations can be really funny things.  It seems like on almost every vacation you go on there tends to be some sort of tragedy that you can look back on later and laugh about.

For example, when my wife was in high school she went with the high school choir to a competition in Las Vegas.  While they were there they decided to do some sight-seeing as well.  So while walking up and down the strip my wife (then girlfriend) somehow managed to cut her toe open when riding the escalators!  I to this day don’t know how she managed this, but she left a pretty good trail of blood all the way back to her hotel!  She would have been safer staying on the tour bus offered by various Las Vegas tours!

In high school I was in band, and I was part of a local group that got to go to Europe for about 2 weeks.  The biggest problem that I had there was that I’m too tall and kept hitting my head on different things!  I remember one day I was so proud that I had gone the whole day without hitting my head.  I was walking along the side of the bus telling someone this when ‘crack!’, I hit my head on the rear view mirror…

So needless to say, vacations can be a lot of fun when you look back at the painful and silly moments that happen.

One place my wife and I would like to go sometime is to New York City to see the sites there.  Maybe while we’re there we can check out the Top of the Rock Observation Deck at the Rockefeller Center. I hear it’s pretty cool!

If you’re looking to take a vacation any time soon, check out Trusted Tours and Attractions.  They offer discounted tickets to the best sightseeing tours in 23 cities across America, along with online travel guides. You can also sign up for their newsletter and enter for a chance to win a $150 Magellan’s Gift Certificate!

Update on Thinking About Making Some Changes

So a few days ago I wrote about how I’ve been very tempted to just shave my head.  Well, as the days have past, I’ve decided not to do that.  What I’m thinking instead is that I’m going to go with a slightly longer hair do.

Now don’t get any crazy ideas!  I know now that my sister reads this blog from time to time and she said that she’d disown me if I ever grew my hair out!

So I’m not talking about anything really long.  Like for example this “Beatles wanna-be” hair styles that a lot of the high school kids have these days.  (Sorry kids, you look retarded.)  Nor am I thinking of anything like this guy (see picture!)

No, what I’m thinking is just something a little bit longer.  You see for the last couple of years I’ve always just had a really short hair cut.  So I’m just going to try something a little longer for awhile.  We’ll see how long it lasts…in fact don’t be surprised if in 2 weeks I’ve shaved it off instead!

Benefits of Credit Cards Over Debit Cards

The other day I read an article from a friend of mine about the reasons to use credit cards over debit cards.  I don’t remember all the specifics of the article, but I came away saying, “You have a good point there, my friend!”

Here’s the gyst of it: rewards and refunds.  Think about it.  When you use your debit card, you just have the money come out of your bank account.  But when you use a credit card you can get ones with all sorts of rewards such as cash back or points towards certain things.

Here’s a great example: my Dad has a GM Card that gives him points towards the purchase of a GM car.  He usually buys American, so he got a great deal on a Pontiac he helped my sister buy a few years ago.  Then there’s the classic example of the air miles.

So basically, if you have the discipline, you can find a card that will give you the benefits that you need.   But the key is having discipline to not let it become unnecessary debt.

This morning I came across another site that will help you find the right card for you.  The site is AcclaimVisa.com.  On their site you can take a few minutes and easily apply for low interest credit card online.

So if you have the discpline and want some extra rewards, check these guys out and see what they can do for you!

Everyone’s Starting a Blog

So in the last few weeks I’ve learned about a bunch of different friends that have blogs up and running.  It seems like everyone these days is starting a blog!  Well, it’s probably a good thing.  I’ve actually found that it can be very therapeutic at times…

One thing I always wonder is if people know about all the different options for setting up their blog.  I know that a lot of them will just do a blog hosted by the blogging company, but even better in my opinion is to host it separately so you can do more with your blog.  But then I guess that depends on what you’re after.

Well, if you’re thinking of starting a new blog and want the most felxibility out of it, you really should go with hosting it somewhere else.  It’s a good idea to check out some web host rating websites to see which ones are currently the best to work with.  This way you can be sure to get the best deal and also know what you should be getting in the first place.

Why So Serious?

I hate clowns…I really do.  But I loved the new Dark Knight movie!  So just today I was stumbling some stuff and came across this image.  Pretty sweet!

Resources That Come in Handy

One thing I love about the internet is that it’s so easy to get information when you need it.  For example, let’s say you were looking for a Myrtle Beach realtor. All you have to do is go online and there are plenty of directories and other things that will help you find those kinds of professionals or other things that you need!

Speaking of Myrtle Beach, I hear it’s a wonderful place to visit. I’ve never actually been there, but hopefully I’ll make it out east again some day and maybe I’ll check it out. Maybe I’ll even look into some Myrtle Beach real estate if I like it enough!

Yet I digress…my main point is simply that things like phone books and the like are becoming more and more obsolete because of the internet. And its a good thing if you ask me!  Personally I hate getting those new phone books on my doorstep every year!

Saving Money on Eyewear

In two weeks I get to go in for my yearly eye exam.  I would much rather do this than go to my appointment with the dentist next week, but I guess both are necessary.

I’ve always gone back and forth between eyeglasses and contact, mainly because I don’t always like the price of the eyeglasses or the comfort of them. But in the end, I have to admit that long term the eyeglasses are the cheaper option.

I think the other reason I struggle with eyeglasses is the look. I don’t know that I’ve ever found a pair that I loved, especially for the price I usually end up paying.

That’s where ZenniOptical.com comes in. They have some really stylish glasses for as cheap as $8!!! Think about it, you could get all sorts of frames for that price, one for every occasion if you needed to. And doing so wouldn’t break the bank either!

Others have been catching on to these guys as well.  You might have seen some positive reports about them on Fox News TV, or heard about them on the radio. The popular U.S. talk radio host of the nationally syndicated consumer advocate program The Clark Howard Show, even recommended them. There’s some definite buzz going on about these guys, so if you wear glasses you should definitely check them out!

Every Kid’s Dream…

I remember as a kid one of the cool vacations we went on was down to Disneyland.  Isn’t that every kid’s dream?  To go to Disneyland?

Well, maybe it isn’t every kid’s dream, but Disney would sure like you to think so.  But honestly, I know that it is a place that a lot of kids love to go, and I was one of them.

The only problem is that when we went to Disneyland and the Los Angeles area in general, I was too young to really appreciate it.  I think I’ll have to go back with my kids once they are at least 8-10 years old.  Then we can check out all the other things to do in Los Angeles along with visiting places like Disneyland.

My wife would also like to go to New York City sometime.  In the past I’ve had no desire to ever go there, but my mind has been changing lately.  I bet we could go on some really cool New York City tours that would make it all worth it.

Planning your next vacation? Looking for ideas on what to do? Sign up for the Trusted Travels eNewsletter and enter to win a $150 iTunes gift card Offer ends July 31st, 2008.  Trusted Tours also has some great online travel guides that can help you plan out your next killer vacation.

Help for an IT Career

Ok ok, I admit it…I’m a computer nerd.  Not a GEEK, but I am definitely a NERD.

The good thing is that these days being at least somewhat of a nerd can pay pretty good.  But you still have to take the right path to make sure that your career is on track.

The fact is that these days there are a lot of jobs and opportunity in the IT industry.  I’m more of an IS major, but there are a lot of similarities between the two.  And the good thing is that almost every company these days needs an IT guy (or girl if you prefer)!

In the education side of IT, there are degrees and there are certifications.  A degree in IT is like what you get from a university or college.  But then there are also a lot of certifications that you can get as well.  Most of these are very specific to a company or brand, such as a Cisco certification.

The other cool thing about these certifications is that most of these companies have a training program that goes along with their certifications. That way you aren’t left in the dark as far as what you need to know in order to pass the tests.  But of course you will need to know your stuff.

What’s crazy is that my wife actually used to work for a company that helped to manage a lot of the different certification programs.  And there are a lot of them out there.  But Cisco is one that is more universal.  So check them out for info on their different programs and how they can help you in your IT career.

Coupons for T-Shirt Printing

T-shirts are a great way to get the word out about your business.  It’s easy advertising, and people tend to notice it.

Well, if you have a business and you’re looking to get some good, inexpensive t-shirts printed, VistaPrint is running a discount right now on their t-shirt printing services.  If you use coupon code TShirts25 you can get 25% off your next order of custom printed t-shirts!

Just about 2 weeks ago I printed a handful of t-shirts for another website that I run, but now that I see the prices over on VistaPrint, I’m wondering if I should have gone with them over the company that I used.  Well, you know what they say about hindsight.

So don’t make the same possible mistake that I just made!  Check out what VistaPrint has to offer.  They have a lot of templates you can choose from, and you can just upload your own images to create a t-shirt to your liking.  Maybe you just want to design one for fun, even if you don’t run a business.  Well, you can do that, too!

Check them out.  VistaPrint is great for all sorts of things, and they’re running sales on a bunch of their other products as well.